'The Bachelorette' gets down to business

DeAnna throws the remaining six prospective husbands for a loop when she decides to nix the cocktail party and go straight for the rose ceremony. Poor boys knew something was up when they walked into the living room and no DeAnna. But before we tell you what happened next, we'll rewind a bit.

DeAnna takes the men to a Palm Springs resort for a week so that she can determine whose hometown and families she'll visit. Her first date is with Sean and they take a very steep tram ride up a mountain for dinner and then to her suite for some sweets.

The next day, everyone takes a helicopter ride to the desert where they tear up the sand on four-wheel ATVs. But before they land, poor Twilley, who gets motion sickness, tries to keep his chunks on the inside, much to the chagrin of DeAnna, who's praying he aims in the opposite direction. Jesse wins over DeAnna when he shows off on the ATV, but he disappoints her later when they have a little one-on-one at the pool and he doesn't kiss her.

The next solo date is at Frank Sinatra's house for some dinner, dancing and karaoke. DeAnna picks up Jeremy in a vintage convertible and she admits the date was the most romantic she's had and she can definitely see herself falling in love with him.

Now, back to the cocktail party. DeAnna sends out host Chris Harrison who says "her mind is made up" and announces that there will not be a cocktail party. DeAnna explains in a direct-to-camera interview that she saw no point in leading anyone on, as she was led on when she was in the same situation. At the rose ceremony we were shocked to see Sean go home and Jesse given a rose. The obvious and good choice was to finally send Twilley home.

Next week, it's time to meet the parents.

HIT OR MISSWant to know if that new show is worth your time? Find out here.

The Middleman: Wendy Watson is an artist turned crime fighting heroine on ABC Family's new show, "The Middleman," based on a comic book series. She's probably one of the only people in the world who doesn't flinch when a 10-eyed genetically mutated blob attacks her while she's working as a temp at a science lab. The Middleman shows up to clean up the mess and later offers her a job. Anyone else, he says, would have been eaten, while her blood pressure didn't even rise.

So who is this Middleman character? We find out a bit later that he's a crime fighter for a secret agency that deals with the absurd. And absurd the show is. A former Navy Seal, this Middleman, who speaks like a gentleman, recruits Wendy to be the Robin to his Batman. Their first case: Find out who is killing off mobsters and leaving behind banana peels.

Of course, it turns out to be a gorilla being controlled by a mad scientist who wants to take over the world. The show runs like a bad comic book, with the actors sounding like they're, well, acting. The only one who adds to the show is Natalie Morales, who plays the smart-lipped Wendy.

The show is corny and we're not quite sure who it's intended for. It seems like something little kids could like -- crime fighters battling evil monkeys -- but then Wendy starts cursing (bleeped out of course). Maybe it's for teen-agers? But in this day and age, we're thinking only the comic book lovers will like this one. Adults might have some trouble relating to the immature nature of the crimes and characters.

The premise is kind of cute and maybe we're not giving it a fair chance. But will we watch it again? Probably not.

Verdict: Miss

'ICE ROAD TRUCKERS'
Three days into work, the ice rollers have adjusted well to the dangers of the frozen Arctic Ocean ... somewhat.

Last week's episode ended with Drew impatiently quitting his job after not receiving work. He's back on the hunt, again, and has managed to land a job at a trucking company that specializes in household items, not oil equipment like the other main characters.

Hugh and Alex have proven their worth to the industry, and have carried out their duties well, all while maneuvering ice as thick as 40 inches and temperatures now as low as -42 degrees.

Eric, the newcomer to the "Ice Road Truckers" series, experiences troubles completing his job of delivering a vacuum tanker truck to an oil rig. The "vac-truck" is an essential item to the oil industries; it cleans tanks on oil sites of wastes received from drilling. After a grueling six hours of repairs (highlighted by the removal of a rusted piece of metal near one of the bolts), Eric is able to transport the truck to the site, which prevents the oil site from suspending work, an act that would cause the oil company millions of dollars.

we learn of a new frightening aspect of ice road trucking. The drivers, which leave earlier than when the sunrises in the Arctic region, make deliveries to Tuktoyaktuk (nicknamed "Tuk"), located in the Northwest Territory. Before arriving at Tuk, the icy oceans mix with a nearby frozen river. Combining salt water from the ocean with fresh water from the river leads to a "trap door" effect in the ice. If a truck driver hits a certain patch in the ice road, the layer he crosses will give out and freefall through the ice. Truck drivers who fall through the ice have no escape, and likely die in a matter of seconds.

Viewers witness the verbal jabbings Drew receives as he continues to make poor decisions. As other truckers drive big rigs, Drew gets stuck driving a small white truck, called a "cube truck" by other truckers. The jokes pile on after one driver sees Drew, as each driver speaks to each other via radio.

Now five days into the season, the episode winds down with Rick getting into his second major accident on the season (his first came when he swerved out of the way of passing buffalo). Although not injured, the oil pad under the truck Rick drives has become heavily damaged to the point where it cannot be repaired, thus jeopardizing Rick's remaining time as an ice trucker (and his time on the show. He was booted last season after his truck heater gave out, leading to Rick almost losing toes to frostbite.)

Drew, seen smoking cigarettes in every scene, is experiencing more setbacks. He's become sick and has secluded himself in his hotel room. Sitting there, with a stuffy nose and obvious symptoms of a cold (likely received from freezing temperatures), Drew calls out of work, which, once again, enables the other truckers (specifically Rick, before his accident) to joke about Drew's work ethic.

The show once again brings excitement and a look at one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet. With detailed information regarding all conditions the truckers face, the nearby towns and the backgrounds of the people that surround these main characters, we see how strong the History Channel is in presenting shows to audiences, especially with its top-rating getter, "Ice Road Truckers."

Hourlong episodes air every Sunday at 9 p.m.

IN 40 WORDS OR LESSMiss your favorite show this weekend? No problem. Check out our super-condensed recaps.

FROM MONDAY:Jon & Kate Plus 8 -- Jon and Kate take a walk down memory lane with tons of home videos from before the started. They also discuss their first home, how Kate became pregnant, making friends, where the grandparents are and deciding to do the show.

The Mole -- The contestants compete in a luge challenge and a competition where they must find clothes and make it to a restaurant in time to eat. Ali takes $30,000 to leave, and Bobby is eliminated after doing poorly on the quiz.

FROM SUNDAY:Living Lohan -- Ali wants a dog of her own, so she buys one -- without Dina's permission. Dina eventually caves. Meanwhile, Michael and his girlfriend visit, but they get into a fight when she wants to leave to see her family.

Army Wives -- Claudia Joy has a panic attack at the local store and tries to deal with Amanda's death. Betty wakes up and Chase comes home to Pamela. Joan decides to keep the baby.

In Plain Sight -- Mary says no to a proposal from Raphael while her client, a con-artist/diamond thief gets remarried, but not before her fiance is kidnapped and then rescued the night of the bachelorette party.

WHAT 2 WATCH THIS WEEKThe writers' strike is over -- hooray! -- but, unfortunately, some of your favorite shows may not return this season -- boo! Fear not! There's still plenty to watch on TV. Here, we offer our best bets in primetime this week (all times are Eastern).

America's Got Talent, 9 p.m. on NBC -- SEASON PREMIERE! -- The talent search's third season opens with country-spanning auditions for top-notch entertainers in such fields as music, comedy, dance, juggling and magic. Jerry Springer hosts, while David Hasselhoff, Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne serve as judges.

Hell's Kitchen, 9 p.m. on Fox -- NEW! -- The final four contestants prepare lunch for surprise guests: 80 very hungry, very picky expectant moms. The chef whose dish they favor wins a $1000 shopping spree. The others must clean up after the luncheon. During dinner service, one careless contestant burns Chef Ramsay's hand. He's not pleased.

Flipping Out, 10 p.m. on Bravo -- SEASON PREMIERE! -- The reality-meets-realty show's second season begins by catching up with meticulous real-estate investor Jeff Lewis and his colorful band of subordinates, as they try to expand the business in a declining market.

A Shot at Love 2 with Tila Tequila, 10 p.m. on MTV -- NEW! -- Tila and her three remaining suitors hit the beaches of Cancun, Mexico.

30 Days, 10 p.m. on FX -- NEW! -- A North Carolina hunting enthusiast lives for a month with a Los Angeles vegan who's a PETA campaign coordinator. They participate in an animal-rights demonstration, work at a rescue center for farm animals and meet with animal-rights organizations.

Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood, 10 p.m. on Oxygen -- SEASON PREMIERE! -- The third season of the power couple's celeb-reality dramedies kicks off with Tori and Dean returning to the bustle of Los Angeles, where they anticipate the birth of their second child and the release of a Tori-penned book. But with Dean away on a film shoot, Tori receives shocking news from their landlord.

WEDNESDAYSo You Think You Can Dance, 8 p.m. on Fox -- NEW! -- The top 18 dancers perform.

Farmer Wants a Wife, 9 p.m. on The CW -- NEW! -- Matt imports some urban flair into his rural surroundings for the city-loving ladies. Then the gals join Matt for a family meal and get asked some difficult emotional questions, and two women go head-to-head with one another in Matt's presence. With only four women left, Matt makes another surprising elimination.

Celebrity Circus, 9:30 p.m. on NBC -- NEW! -- Wee Man gives the wheel of death a whirl; Blu Cantrell tangles with the Spanish web; Christopher Knight perches on the high wire.

Top Chef, 10 p.m. on Bravo -- REUNION! -- Host Andy Cohen serves up a reunion with Season 4's chefs, who dish on the four-star dramas and field viewer questions. Series regulars Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons and Ted Allen make appearances. Also on the menu: The "fan favorite" winner is announced.

My Boys, 9:30 p.m. on TBS -- NEW! -- PJ tries to find her Mr. Right by throwing a dinner party for singles. Meanwhile, Stephanie comes into publishing success when she authors a relationship-themed book; and Andy enlists the services of a comely nanny with an annoyingly healthy lifestyle.

Swingtown, 10 p.m. on CBS -- NEW! -- Susan tries to mend her friendship with Janet by asking her to help plan a housewarming party, but Trina intrudes with a bloated guest list and an unconventional idea involving fondue dipping.

Fear Itself, 10 p.m. on NBC -- NEW! -- A man (Colin Ferguson) swaps bodies with a jailed killer after a near-death experience and must find a way to save his family from behind bars.

Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, 10 p.m. on Bravo -- NEW! -- Kathy finally does background checks on two members of her posse -- her assistant's assistant Tiffany and tour manager Tom -- by visiting their hometowns, where she meets their significant others and performs stand-up. Elsewhere, basking in her Emmy win, Kathy sets out to win other awards. Next on her list: A Grammy.

America's Best Dance Crew, 10 p.m. on MTV -- SEASON PREMIERE! -- A second season begins with a whole new set of crews vying for the title of America's Best Dance Crew.

THE BRAIN GAMETest your knowledge of all things trivial by answering this question, taken from one of last night's game shows. (Check back Friday for the answer.)

From "Jeopardy!": American Authors: In 1958 he wrote, "Brazil was beastly but Buenos Aires the best. Not Tiffany's, but almost."

Friday's answer: What is one?
(From "Jeopardy!": Fun With Numbers: It's the only whole number that when spelled out has all its letters in reverse alphabetical order.)